Port Vale manager Jon Brady acknowledged that a lengthy FA Cup run feels like a “pain in the bum” amid his team’s battle against relegation in League One. However, that sentiment didn’t overshadow the jubilant celebrations that followed their surprising 1-0 victory over Premier League Sunderland, marking their first quarterfinal appearance since 1954.
Ben Waine’s header in the 28th minute, despite being the only shot on target, secured a historic win at Vale Park, as they triumphed against top-tier competition for the first time since defeating Everton in the fourth round three decades ago.
Though Brady has seen an improvement in form since taking over from Darren Moore in early January, Vale remains at the bottom of League One, 11 points adrift of safety. While more fixtures may be a burden, performances like Sunday’s inspire hope for the struggling side.
“To be honest, it’s a bit of a pain in the bum!” Brady admitted. “What this means for us is an increased fixture load, and as you saw, we lost one of our top center-backs [Cam Humphreys]. Our squad isn’t big enough to handle this many games right now.
“It’s a privilege, but it’s challenging as well.”
With potential opponents like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal looming, Brady affirmed that his focus remains squarely on their next match against Bradford on Wednesday, rather than the impending draw.
“I really have no idea because I’m only thinking about Bradford,” he stated.
Waine has now scored the decisive goal in three of Vale’s FA Cup matches this season, including a crucial extra-time strike against Bristol City in the fourth round. For the 24-year-old, a lifelong Newcastle United supporter, scoring against Sunderland held a special significance, especially after Alan Shearer retweeted a photo of him mimicking Shearer’s iconic celebration.
Growing up in Wellington, New Zealand, Waine’s family roots lie in the northeast, making this occasion even more meaningful. “I always watched Newcastle play against Sunderland, so to be part of this match and score the winner is really special,” Waine expressed. “Not just for me, but for my entire family… this is a dream come true, and I’m going to enjoy every moment.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland, who had recently surpassed the 40-point mark in the Premier League, missed out on reaching the FA Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2014. “I’m really disappointed,” stated manager Regis Le Bris. “We approached this game with a strong lineup and aimed to win, knowing it would be a tough challenge against such a committed home side. Full credit to them.
“In this competition, mindset and fighting spirit matter more than tactical or technical skills, and we simply weren’t consistent enough today. While I think some players performed well, we failed to create enough opportunities.”
“I don’t believe we were complacent; that’s not how I feel. It’s more about our ability to reset,” he added.